FairVote reached its 25th anniversary in June. I’ve directed the organization since its inception.

It’s been quite a ride, with highs and lows, but with overall progress toward building support and earning advocacy success for big structural reform ideas in the service of our mission: greater choice, a stronger voice and a representation democracy that works for all Americans.

I’ve never felt more optimistic about the chances to bring our core vision of reform into the mainstream of American politics.

Gary Johnson: Both Parties Are The Problem

It might be the most boring place in politics at the moment, but according to former presidential candidate Gary Johnson, the middle is the place to be for getting things done in Washington.

In an op-ed Johnson wrote:

Perhaps the California legislature knew this was coming, as they attempted in vein to introduce a single-payer health care system in the Golden State.

Covered California’s health insurance exchange announced Tuesday that rates will jump on average 12.5 percent. And that is only if the subsidies continue.

Ten percent of people enrolled through Covered California will also have to look for a new plan, as Anthem Blue Cross announced plans to end its coverage in most of the state.

The 2020 presidential election has its first announced candidate, and he supports nonpartisan primary reform in all states: US Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.).

Delaney officially announced he is running for the Democratic nomination in three years, explaining in an interview that he sees "no downside in getting in early" and spending the time to build his name ID.

Delaney is best known in the election reform community for his support of nonpartisan open primaries and independent redistricting commissions.

The Pew Research Center has been tracking Americans’ political party “identification” for more than 20 years. A few weeks before last year’s election, their annual survey found 33 percent of American voters identifying themselves as Democrats and 29 percent as Republicans.

The rest?

The remaining 34 percent of voters identified themselves as independents — not affiliated with either of the two so-called major parties. That’s right: The real plurality in America today is made up of voters who are neither Republicans nor Democrats.

Host T.J. O'Hara is joined by Nick Troiano, executive director of The Centrist Project.

T.J and Troiano discuss the latest endeavors of The Centrist Project, including projects in support of independent candidates across the nation, how independents could change the US’s health care discussion, what an independent caucus would look like, and more.

President Donald Trump’s quest for uncovering election fraud may find new life in Illinois.

After winning the 2016 election Trump charged that "millions" of people cast illegal votes.

In May, Trump issued an executive order forming the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity.

Election Hacking Concerns Need Solutions, Not Partisan Bickering

There is arguably nothing more important to our democracy, than keeping elections safe and free from hackers.

In a piece on IVN, Editor Shawn Griffiths notes:

"The Mooch" is out.

The White House announced Monday that Anthony Scaramucci is out as communications director. The announcement was expected following his expletive-laced tirade to a reporter from the New Yorker.

"It took me only a few minutes to see how to hack it."

We have known for some time that state voting machines are incredibly vulnerable to cyberattack. Is this breaking news? No. White hat hackers (ethical hackers) in recent history have demonstrated time and time again just how easy it is to hack into the machines.

So what is being done about it?